Written Answers Nos. 230-252
230. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenants under the mortgage-to-rent scheme who have bought back their homes from approved housing bodies. [26764/24]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme is targeted at those households in acute mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs.
To date, my Department is aware of 11 properties which have progressed, or are progressing through, the buy-back process within the MTR scheme. It is not anticipated that there will be significant numbers availing of the buy back option, because the MTR scheme is targeted at those borrowers with little or no prospect of a significant change in their financial circumstances and who have previously fallen into a level of mortgage arrears deemed unsustainable by their lender.
The two buyback options available for MTR properties are set out in full in the document 'A Guide to the Mortgage to Rent Scheme' which is available at the following link : www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/2019-03/HA-Mortgage-To-Rent-Guide-2019-Web_0.pdf.
231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline, with regard to turbary rights and to the SAC area of Cloghane in County Kerry, the process by which a person who wishes to seek permission to harvest turf in this area must take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26800/24]
View answerI understand that the Question refers to an area in Mount Brandon in County Kerry. Mount Brandon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) comprises the central and north-western parts of the Dingle Peninsula. It is a mountainous area that encompasses several peaks including Mount Brandon, Brandon Peak, and the Stradbally range which includes Beenoskee. The site includes blanket bog habitat amongst other conservation interests.
Mount Brandon is designated as an Special Area of Conservation under Statutory Instrument No. 329 of 2023. Schedule 4 of this Statutory Instrument states that all activities relating to turf cutting and/or peat extraction – with the exception of continued domestic turf cutting from existing turf banks- in this SAC require the permission of the Minister before they can be carried out.
Where such an application for the consent of the Minister has been made, the Minister may make a decision to give consent for the activity, give consent subject to conditions, refuse, modify, or revoke. Any such decision will be informed by the level of impact to habitats and/or species that will occur as a result of the activity taking place.
Under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC), any plan or project which is likely to have a significant effect on a European Site (a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Special Protected Area (SPA), or candidate area, designated under the Habitats Directive) requires an Appropriate Assessment.
Landowners or occupiers should contact the local National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department before undertaking any of the works listed at Schedule 4 of S.I. No. 329 of 2023 and it can advise further.
Commercial peat extraction involving a new or extended area of 30 hectares or more may require planning consent from a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Peat extraction of an area of greater than 50 hectares requires an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licensing from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in addition to the above.
Further guidance on the Regulatory Framework Applying to Peat Extraction can be found on the government website www.gov.ie (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/213281/dd96e2a1-7c64-413c-9de7-18b656350552.pdf#page=null).
232. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding can be given for a thatching grant for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26812/24]
View answerMy Department’s grant scheme for the renewal or repair of a thatched roof provides funding of up to €6,350 or up to 80% of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses situated on the mainland where the private owner holds a medical card. A higher level of assistance of up to €8,252 is available for houses on specified offshore islands, where the owner holds a medical card. In the case of private owners without a medical card, funding of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of private houses situated on the mainland, rising to €5,714 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island. Details in relation to this grant scheme is available at the following link: gov - Thatching Grant (www.gov.ie).
My Department also oversees a number of schemes to assist in the conservation of protected structures, which may include repairs to historic roofing. These schemes are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund, under which a combined total of €9 million is available for 2024. This year, as in 2023, a dedicated €500,000 has been ring-fenced under the BHIS for conservation repairs to historic thatched structures. This aims to maximise the availability of financial assistance to owners of such properties, helping them offset other costs. These schemes are administered through the local authorities and details are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/32ae3-financial-assistance-for-architectural-heritage/.
233. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the accessibility of the LDA cost rental model for those living with disabilities if they can only receive a maximum of 24% of the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability (details supplied). [26913/24]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The schemes are means tested and operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. Evidence of household income must be submitted to local authorities with all applications under the scheme. This documentation is not shared with my Department.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability can provide funding for newly constructed houses, for adaptations which may become necessary to facilitate the needs of a disabled person. In such cases, where the newly constructed dwelling is less than 12 months old, the maximum level of grant aid available is €14,500.
The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities, in administering the scheme, work with qualifying applicants to secure the most beneficial outcome possible in line with applicants' financial circumstances and within the parameters of the Grant Scheme.
The Exchequer funding provision of €74.5 million for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme has been increased by €8 million for 2024, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible with a view to also publishing the final report.
234. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the six remaining houses are to be finished at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26936/24]
View answerI can confirm that 42 new social homes were completed by Carlow County Council at the location referred to. Additionally, a further 6 new age-friendly homes were undertaken by an Approved Housing Body. My Department provided funding of €1.4m for the 6 additional age-friendly homes and I understand they were completed in Quarter 4 of 2023.
235. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a loan (details supplied) will be open for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26939/24]
View answerOn 5 June the Cabinet approved the expansion of the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan to all Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant eligible homes.
This supports the key policy objective in Housing for All in bringing vacant homes back into use.
The eligibility of applicants is broadly the same as the Local Authority Home Loan with some specific amendments to accommodate renovation projects. Eligibility criteria are set out in the Press Release at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/97db0-local-authority-purchase-and-renovation-loan-to-support-first-time-buyers-turn-vacant-or-derelict-buildings-into-new-homes/ .
The new Purchase and Renovation Loan is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks.
Further details will be announced and will be available on the dedicated website www.localauthorityhomeloan.ie/ .
236. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline all of the supports available to a person building a house for the first time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26980/24]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed in the Housing for All strategy, the Government has introduced a number of measures to support households and individuals wishing to purchase or build a home, as well as increasing the overall supply of new homes, with a target of 300,000 new homes up to 2030.
The First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. In addition, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/ .
The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used for both new and second-hand properties, or for self-builds. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available on the website: www.localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
In addition, the Ready to Build Scheme was launched in September 2022. Under the scheme, local authorities make serviced sites in towns and villages available to individual purchasers. These sites are available at a discount up to a maximum of €30,000 below market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
The Help to Buy incentive supports first time buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Further details of this scheme are available here: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx .
Finally, on 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The schemes originally applied for 1 year to all permitted residential development, including self-build and one off rural houses, that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced up to 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced up to 30 September 2024.
237. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 18 June 2024, if the information from the vacancy survey project supported by his Department has been made available to his Department; if so, to list the number of vacant and derelict properties in each individual local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26999/24]
View answerTackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government and Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I originally published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 of Housing for All and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. I recently published an update on the Action Plan a year on which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website.
A Vacancy Survey project, supported by my Department, commenced in December 2022. The survey is not intended to be a comprehensive count of every vacant and derelict property in each local authority administrative area, rather its objective is to provide local authorities with a database of vacant and derelict properties which they can update on an ongoing basis and use to engage with property owners and work with them to bring those properties back into use.
The survey has not yet been completed by all local authorities. While my Department has access to the application used by the local authorities in collecting the data, the data requested is not collated by my Department in the manner requested.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities in relation to the survey.
238. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider reopening local authority laboratories on a regional basis to test for building materials and for aggregate in general used in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27000/24]
View answerThe Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR) sets out rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. Where a construction product covered by a harmonised standard is being placed on the EU market, the CPR requires the manufacturer to draw up a ‘declaration of performance’ and affix a ‘CE’ marking to the product. In order to do so, manufacturers must test and declare the performance of their construction products using a common technical language prescribed in the harmonised standard.
Ultimately, the manufacturer is responsible for compliance with the CPR and associated testing of the performance of the construction product he or she is placing on the market, having regard to the end product’s suitability for use in construction works.
Building control authorities (local authorities) have been designated as the principal market surveillance authorities for construction products that fall within the scope of the CPR, within their administrative areas. In addition, Dublin City Council has been appointed as a competent authority for the carrying out of market surveillance functions for all related construction products on a nationwide basis.
Market surveillance authorities have extensive powers including the power to obtain access to the place of manufacture or storage, request technical information, select samples of the construction product and carry out evaluations, examination or tests on such samples.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 each Chief Executive is responsible for the organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. As such, building control authorities/market surveillance authorities are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers and issues relating to local authority laboratory services are a matter for each local authority.
239. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27018/24]
View answerI refer to my reply to Question No. 210 of 18 June 2024 which sets out the current position.
240. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out his response to the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee commentary on the Planning and Development Bill 2023, in particular to the concern it has raised with sections 133, 135 (2) (b) and (d) and whether they would fulfil the requirements of paragraph 4 (a) (i) of decisions VII/8i; and if he intends to table further amendments to the Bill at Seanad Stage to address the concerns of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee. [27038/24]
View answer245. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the report by the ‘Compliance Committee to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention)’, in particular the first progress review of the implementation of decision VII/8i on compliance by Ireland with its obligations under the Convention in the context of the ongoing parliamentary procedure progressing the Planning and Development Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27160/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 245 together.
The Planning and Development Bill 2023, which shortly commences Seanad Second Stage is the culmination of a three year process of policy and legal review, led by the Office of the Attorney General; engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders and one of the most extensive pre-legislative and Select Committee scrutiny undertaken in recent memory.
As part of the drafting of the Bill, it has been extensively reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General to ensure full compliance and alignment with our relevant international obligations, including the Aarhus Convention.
I am aware of the draft compliance report from the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee and its comments in relation to the Bill and I am liaising with the Attorney General on the matter.
242. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how the defective concrete block scheme will be rolled out in housing estates; for guidance as to how the defective concrete block scheme will work in cases where only one member of a semi-detached block opts to conduct remedial works and one does not; the compensation that will be made available to neighbours in housing estates who will be inconvenienced by others accessing the defective concrete block scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27075/24]
View answerI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
The detailed operation of the Scheme is a matter for the designated local authorities and the Housing Agency in the first instance. Their respective roles are set out clearly in the 2022 Act.
Each relevant owner of a relevant dwelling must apply to the Scheme separately. However, owners of dwellings that are conjoined may, at their own discretion, consider hiring the same building professionals as well as commencing works on conjoined properties at the same time, if approved for grant assistance for their dwellings.
The scheme is neither a redress nor a compensation scheme, rather it is a grant scheme of last resort to enable affected homeowners remediate their homes.
243. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has had any contact in person or in writing within the past six months with the secretary of an organisation (details supplied) and if he has used the opportunity to raise the matter of financial irregularities at the organisation [27091/24]
View answerI can advise that I have not had any contact in person, or in writing, within the past six months with the secretary of the named organisation.
244. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the details of the €31.9 million urban regeneration and development fund for several projects in Tallaght town; and the projects on which this money has been spent. [27111/24]
View answerThrough the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) public bodies are receiving targeted support for innovative and holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities. To date, there have been three Calls for proposals under the URDF with in excess of €1.9 billion allocated to almost 400 projects, located right across the country.
Providing up to a maximum of 75% of approved project costs for applicant led projects, with the remaining 25% in matched funding arranged by the sponsoring authority, URDF supported projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
Significant funding of €31.89 million was provided under URDF Call 1 for the Tallaght Town Centre Project to provide support for a number of key infrastructure, services, civic, residential and amenity projects in Tallaght town centre.
The Project will act as a catalyst for the wider and long term growth of Tallaght, as a living town and the thriving heart of South Dublin County.
The following table shows each of the sub-projects within the overall proposal:
Table 1: Tallaght Town Centre Sub-Projects
|
Tallaght Town Centre – URDF Call 1 project |
|
|
Belgard North Link Road URDF Funding: €7,537,350 (Contract award stage) |
Two Link roads-Cookstown Link Road and Airton Road Extension |
|
Tallaght Stadium 4th Stand URDF Funding: €6,348,002 (Opened Q1 2024) |
New North Stand for 2,600 spectators, along with enhanced Corporate & Hospitality areas of the existing Main Stand together with improved Accessible Seating and a Changing Places Facility in the existing South Stand. |
|
Innovation Hub URDF Funding: €10,336,047 (Completed - to be in use during 2024) |
Building to provide space for innovative technology start-ups and business supports in the South Dublin area. |
|
Belgard Plaza new Civic Square for Tallaght Town Centre URDF Funding: €2,599,210 (Due to be completed Q2 2024) |
Multi-use Public open space will act as a square and a park |
|
Mobility Hub URDF Funding: €3,005,850 (Due to be completed Q2 2024) |
New Public plaza and Transport Interchange enabling multi-modal transport |
|
Chamber Square new Civic Square and Pedestrian Link URDF Funding: €1,299,262 (Due to be completed Q2 2024) |
Upgrade of Square and pedestrian link to include broad range of cultural and community events. |
|
Sean Walsh Astro Pitch URDF Funding: €768,604 (Completed and in use by local sporting organisations) |
Construction of all-weather pitches to increase community involvement in Sport |
246. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the women who are being accommodated in women’s refuges throughout the State are being recorded in the homeless figures. [27193/24]
View answerMy Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of April 2024. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal www.data.gov.ie/ .
The operation of refuges is under the remit of Cuan, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, under the remit of the Department of Justice. The provision of accommodation in refuges is distinct from homeless emergency accommodation and as such, individuals in refuges are not classified as homeless and are not included in the statistics prepared by my Department.
247. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review the local authority constituency boundaries; the factors to be taken into account when considering this issue; when this review might commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27204/24]
View answerThe Electoral Reform Act 2022 amended Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 (as amended) in respect of the review of local electoral areas. Under Chapter 8 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, future reviews of local electoral areas are now a function of An Coimisiún Toghcháin which was established on 9 February 2023.
Section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) empowers the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make an order to divide a local authority area into local electoral areas and to amend those areas. However, in advance of deciding to make an order under section 23 of that Act, the Minister must, in accordance Part V of the Local Government Act 1991, request An Coimisiún Toghcháin to make a report having regard to such matters as may be specified by the Minister.
Before making a request to An Coimisiún, the Minister shall, in accordance with section 61 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, prepare a draft of the request which must be -
(a) laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and
(b) approved by resolution passed by each such House.
Following the sending of a request to An Coimisiún and the completion of its review, the Minister must publish the report of An Coimisiún and must have regard to the report in deciding whether to make an order in relation to any amendment to local electoral area boundaries.
I currently have no plans to make an order under section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 amending local electoral areas.
248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline, with regard to the local authority shared ownership scheme, and given the obligation on local authorities to keep legal costs to a minimum, what recourse an individual (details supplied) has if they feel that their local authority is imposing onerous conditions on the sale of their shared ownership scheme apartment, where the individual does not have the financial resources to risk litigating the conditions imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27213/24]
View answerThe legislation governing the clawback on previous affordable housing schemes is Section 99 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, or Section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002, depending on the home in question. Both pieces of legislation set the same clawback rule: where the property is resold within 20 years, the homeowner must pay a clawback amount equal to a percentage of the proceeds of the sale.
All issues pertaining to the clawback are processed by the relevant local authority and I have no function in relation to individual cases. Homeowners who are dissatisfied with a decision of a local authority may register a complaint with the local authority. Each local authority will have a procedure to allow dissatisfied homeowners to make a complaint. Details of the complaints process can be obtained from the relevant local authority. If the homeowner's complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, they can refer their complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman.
249. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of contracted staff, full-time and part-time, employed by his Department, and by any body or entity under the aegis of the Department, who are specifically assigned to processing freedom of information requests (details supplied), in each of the past three years; the Civil Service grade of each; the number of freedom of information requests dealt with by his Department, or any body or entity under its aegis, in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27236/24]
View answerThe Secretary General, with support from the Assistant Secretary of the Corporate and Business Support Division, oversees my Department's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Details of the number of staff employed by my Department who are assigned to the day to day processing Freedom of Information requests, and the number of such requests received by my Department in each of the past three years, are set out in the attached Table 1. The Principal Officer and Assistant Principal Officer referenced are responsible for several functional areas separate to their involvement in Freedom of Information processes. The table provided excludes decision makers who are assigned on a case by case basis.
I have also provided the number of Freedom of Information requests processed by my Department's aegis bodies in Table 2.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of staff employed by its aegis bodies assigned to processing Freedom of Information requests. That information can be requested from the bodies directly. These bodies may be contacted by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in Table 3.
Table 1 - Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
|
Year |
Staff – Full Time |
Grade |
Staff – Part Time |
Grade |
FOI Requests Received |
|
2021 |
4 |
1 Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 Executive Officer 1 Clerical Officer |
0 |
N/A |
516 |
|
2022 |
4 |
1 Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 Executive Officer 1 Clerical Officer |
1 |
1 Higher Executive Officer |
542 |
|
2023 |
5 |
1 Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 Executive Officer January-May 2023 1 Clerical Officer 1 Temporary Clerical Officer May-December 2023 |
1 |
1 Higher Executive Officer |
569 |
Table 2 – Requests received by aegis bodies
|
Year |
Body |
FOI Requests Received |
|
2021 |
An Bord Pleanála |
64 |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
17 |
|
|
Heritage Council |
5 |
|
|
Housing Finance Agency |
2 |
|
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
25 |
|
|
Irish Water |
179 |
|
|
Land Development Agency |
23 |
|
|
Local Government Management Agency |
11 |
|
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
11 |
|
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
15 |
|
|
Property Registration Authority |
74 |
|
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
78 |
|
|
Valuation Office, (Oifig Luachála) |
6 |
|
|
Waterways Ireland |
28 |
|
|
Year |
Body |
FOI Requests Received |
|
2022 |
An Bord Pleanála |
128 |
|
Gas Networks |
15 |
|
|
Heritage Council |
5 |
|
|
Housing Finance Agency (HFA) |
5 |
|
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
40 |
|
|
Irish Water |
200 |
|
|
Land Development Agency |
16 |
|
|
Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) |
14 |
|
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
18 |
|
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
9 |
|
|
Property Registration Authority |
38 |
|
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
140 |
|
|
Valuation Office, (Oifig Luachála) |
14 |
|
|
Waterways Ireland |
13 |
|
|
Year |
Body |
FOI Requests Received |
|
2023 |
An Bord Pleanála |
99 |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
0 |
|
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
10 |
|
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
27 |
|
|
Heritage Council |
6 |
|
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
40 |
|
|
Housing Finance Agency (HFA) |
4 |
|
|
Land Development Agency |
43 |
|
|
Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) |
24 |
|
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
0 |
|
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
16 |
|
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
0 |
|
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
94 |
|
|
Tailte Éireann (established 01/03/2023) |
49 |
|
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland (until 28/02/2023) |
2 |
|
|
Property Registration Authority (until 28/02/2023) |
21 |
|
|
Valuation Office, (Oifig Luachála) (until 28/02/2023) |
1 |
|
|
Uisce Éireann |
243 |
|
|
Valuation Tribunal |
0 |
|
|
Waterways Ireland |
23 |
Table 3 - Contact Information for aegis bodies
|
Bodies under the Aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Electoral Commission |
info@electoralcommission.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) |
oireachtas@mara.gov.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
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Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
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Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
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Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
250. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications for the secure tenancies affordable rents fund, by local authority area and number of units per application; the number of applications that have been approved to date; and the amount per unit of accommodation awarded for each approved application. [27244/24]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Local Authority |
Number of Units |
Approved STAR Funding Per Unit |
Total STAR Funding |
|
Fingal County Council |
247 |
€128,000 |
€31,616,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
73 |
€117,000 |
€8,540,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
236 |
€146,000 |
€34,456,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council |
86 |
€195,000 |
€16,770,000 |
|
Total |
642 |
€91,382,000 |
251. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the situation regarding retrospection should there be an increase in the cap under the defective blocks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27284/24]
View answerI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
A review mechanism is provided within the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Act 2022, which allows me, as Minister, to increase the overall grant scheme cap of €420,000 a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act. My Department has asked the Expert Group, originally established to advise on a number of technical issues prior to the introduction of the Scheme, to reconvene shortly, to examine the issue and advise me accordingly.
My Department has sought legal advice on what cohort of applicants an increased cap will apply to, in the event that such a recommendation is made.
252. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reform the information candidates are required to display on their election posters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27285/24]
View answerSection 140 of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that every notice, bill, poster or similar document having reference to an election or referendum, or distributed for the purpose of furthering the candidature of a candidate at an election, or a particular result at a referendum, shall bear upon its face the name and address of the printer and of the publisher.
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future – envisages a role for the independent, statutory electoral commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, to examine and make recommendations on the issue of the use of posters at electoral events. In support of this commitment I wrote to An Coimisiún in July 2023. I outlined a number of issues that An Coimisiún might include in its initial research programme, including this Programme for Government commitment. An Coimisiún’s draft research programme, published on 10 November 2023, included a proposal to examine the use of posters. I will review this policy area once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.
